November 5, 2007

Argentina's beef exports up 38.9 percent in 3Q

Figures from Argentina's National Service of Agriculture, Food, Health and Quality (SENASA) show that Argentina's beef exports in the third quarter was 139,735 tonnes, up was 38.9 percent more than the previous quarter but was slightly less than a year ago. During the period, the country exported 39,339 tonnes of beef to Russia, which was 82.7 percent higher than the previous quarter but was 44.0 percent lower than a year ago. Total year-to-date beef exports to Russia were 39.9 percent below a year ago, amounting to 77,912 tonnes but was still Argentina's largest beef export market with a 23.4 percent market share.

Argentina's beef exports to Chile during the third quarter increased by 24.8 percent over the previous quarter to 14,889 tonnes and up 804.6 percent over a year ago. Year-to-date beef exports to Chile reached 38,353 tonnes, 286.5 percent higher than last year. On the other hand, exports to Hong Kong totalled 7,857 tonnes, down 13.8 percent from the previous quarter and also down 14.0 percent from a year ago. During the first three quarters of the year, beef exports to Hong Kong rose 20.7 percent over a year ago to 27,965 MT.

Argentina's third quarter beef exports to the US equalled 5,417 tonnes, 34.3 percent higher than the previous quarter, but 17.5 percent less than a year ago. Total year-to-date beef exports to the US were 18.7 percent lower than last year, amounting to 12,522 tonnes. During the first three quarters of the year, Argentina's primary export market for Hilton cuts was Germany with 56.7 percent of the total. The main fresh beef export market, with 33.8 percent, was Russia.

The US was the largest processed beef export market with 43.2 percent Hong Kong was the biggest buyer of Argentine offal with 28.3 percent of the total. Of Argentina¡¯s total beef exports during the first three quarters of the year, 57.0 percent consisted of fresh beef, 28.3 percent was offals, 8.7 percent was processed beef, and 5.9 percent was Hilton cuts. Overall, during the first three quarters of the year, Argentina's beef exports equalled 333,592 tonnes, 5.4 percent higher than the corresponding period a year ago.